Ecole élémentaire publique Sainte Madeleine

Accompanying the life and journey of a Small Salmon and a Small Plastic Cap from source to sea

Strasbourg, France

3rd FUNDING CALL

Water connects us all—from the rivers that flow through our cities to the vast oceans that shape our planet. At the heart of this project is a compelling story: the journey of a migrating salmon and a small plastic cap, both traveling through rivers and seas. This school initiative engages students in hands-on environmental education, deepening their understanding of biodiversity, water conservation, and plastic pollution. By combining scientific exploration, storytelling, and game creation, this project empowers students to become ambassadors for sustainability in their communities.

Objectives

This project aims to foster water literacy by guiding students through the interconnected challenges of marine biodiversity and pollution. The key learning objectives include:

• Understanding ecosystems: Students explore the life cycle of salmon, their migration from rivers to oceans, and the challenges they face, including pollution.
• Raising awareness about plastic pollution: By following the journey of a discarded plastic cap, students examine how waste travels through waterways and the impact of microplastics on aquatic life.
• Encouraging responsible action: Through hands-on activities like recycling initiatives and scientific observations, students learn practical ways to reduce plastic waste.
• Developing storytelling and communication skills: By translating their knowledge into a storybook and an educational game, students creatively share their learning with younger peers, international schools, and visually impaired students.

Activities and Collaborations

Phase 1: Learning Through Exploration

Students engage in a year-long interdisciplinary curriculum that includes:

• Environmental studies: Learning about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation through films, articles, games, and expert talks.
• Tracking the Vendée Globe Race: Students follow the journeys of sailing vessels that encounter migratory fish and marine pollution, connecting real-world events to their studies.
• Hands-on scientific research: With support from the Rhin Salmon Association, students investigate the salmon’s migration and the threats it faces. They visit wetlands, fish passes, and research centers, and participate in a salmon release into the Bruche River.
• Plastic recycling awareness: Partnering with NGOs like Octopus and researchers from ENGEES (National School for Water and Environmental Engineering), students collect, sort, and recycle plastic waste.

Phase 2: Creating the Story and Game

• Students craft a picture book narrating the salmon’s life journey, intertwined with the story of a plastic cap traveling through rivers and oceans.
• A professional illustrator collaborates with students to bring their story to life.
• The book is translated into German, English, and Braille to ensure inclusivity and reach a wider audience.
• Inspired by classic board games, students develop an educational game similar to “Snakes and Ladders,” featuring challenges and questions about water conservation and biodiversity.

Phase 3: Sharing and Disseminating

• Peer education: Older students share the book and game with kindergarteners, bilingual students in Strasbourg and Kehl, and visually impaired students at the Louis Braille Institute.
• Community engagement: Schools distribute the book and game to libraries, science museums (Le Vaisseau), universities (ENGEES), and environmental organizations to reach a larger audience.
• Final reflections: Students evaluate their learning experience, discussing how the project has changed their perspective and encouraged real-world action.

Outputs and Impact

Educational Resources Created:

• A professionally illustrated picture book about the life of a salmon and its plastic companion, printed in:
  • French (100 copies)
  • English (30 copies)
  • German (30 copies)
  • Braille (5 copies) for visually impaired students
• An interactive board game, with printed versions in French, English, German, and Braille

Long-Term Impact:

Inclusive education: Translating materials into multiple languages and Braille ensures a broader reach, making environmental education accessible to all.

Increased awareness: Students develop a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the human impact on marine life.

Action-driven learning: Weekly plastic sorting and recycling activities instill long-term waste reduction habits.

Community engagement: By sharing their work with other schools and institutions, students inspire future generations to care for water resources.